THE PIED OYSTER-CATCHER, 109 
an experienced sportsman, who, nevertheless, was unac- 
quainted with this bird. He informed me, that two very 
old men to whom it was shown, called it a Hagdel. He 
adds, u It was shot from a flock, which was first discovered 
on the beach near the entrance of Boston Harbour. On the 
approach of the gunner, they rose, and instantly formed in 
line, like a corps of troops, and advanced in perfect order, 
keeping well dressed. They made a number of circuits in 
the air previous to being shot at, but wheeled in line; 
and the man who fired into the flock, observed that all 
their evolutions were like those of a regularly-organized 
military company.” 
The Oyster-Catcher will not only take to the water when 
wounded, but can also swim and -dive well. This fact I 
can assert from my own observation, the exploits of one of 
them in this way having nearly cost me my life. On the 
sea-beach of Cape May, not far from a deep and rapid inlet, 
I broke the wing of one of these birds, and being without 
a dog, instantly pursued it towards the inlet, which it made 
for with great rapidity. We both plunged in nearly at the 
same instant ; but the bird eluded my grasp, and I sunk 
beyond my depth; it was not until this moment that I 
recollected having carried in my gun along with me. On 
rising to the surface, I found the bird had dived, and a 
strong ebb current was carrying me fast towards the ocean, 
encumbered with a gun and all my shooting apparatus ; I 
was compelled to relinquish my bird, and to make for the 
